Director, Alaska Military Youth Academy
Craig N. Christensen serves as the full-time Director of the Alaska Miltary Youth Academy for the State of Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
Craig Christensen was born in Chelsea, Massachusetts, on January 17, 1951. He moved with his family to Alaska in 1960. He graduated from East Anchorage High School in 1969. He graduated from Alaska Methodist University cum laude in 1972 with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and History. He was commissioned on February 25, 1977, as a second lieutenant of Armor following completion of the Alaska Army National Guard Officer Candidate School. He is a graduate of the Armor Officer Basic Course, the Armor Officer Advance Course, the United States Army Command and General Staff College, and the United States Army War College.
Craig Christensen enlisted in the Alaska Army National Guard in 1972 and served as an enlisted soldier in the 5th Battalion, 297th Cavalry. Following receipt of his commission, he served as personnel officer, 813th Engineer Battalion (USAR) followed byassignments as platoon leader, logistics officer, operations officer, force development officer, plans operations officer, military support officer, and mobilization officer in the Alaska Army National Guard. Christensen commanded HHC and Co. A, 5th Battalion (Scout), 297th Infantry and served as assistant Inspector General on the personal staff of The Adjutant General, State of Alaska. His most recent military assignments include Commander, 5th Battalion (Scout), 297th Infantry; G3, G1, Chief of Staff – Army, and Deputy Commander of the Alaska Army National Guard; and Commander, 207th Infantry Group (Scout).
Christensen’s military awards include three Meritorious Service Medals, three Army Commendation Medals, two Army Achievement Medals, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the Reserve Component Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Ribbon, Alaska Commendation Medal, and the Alaska Domestic Emergency Ribbon.
His civilian affiliations include the Association of the United States Army, the National Guard Association of the United States, the Alaska National Guard Officers Association, and the Alaska Army National Guard Enlisted Association. General Christensen is active in supporting volunteer civic organizations such as the Armed Services YMCA and Anchorage Chamber of Commerce. Brigadier General Christensen resides in Eagle River, Alaska, with his wife, Naomi, originally of Galesburg, North Dakota. He has two sons, Ross and Ryan, and a daughter, Kara.
Education:
- 1972 Alaska Methodist University – Political Science / History
Military Scools Attended
- ersonnel Management Specialist (71H)
- Officer Candidate School
- Armor Officer Basic Course
- Armor Officer Advanced Course
- United States Army Command and General Staff College
- Inspector General Course
- United States Army War College
Prior Assignments
- Sep 72 Enlisted Service
- Feb 77 Support Platoon Leader, HHC 5th Battalion (Arctic Recon), 297th Infantry, Anchorage, Alaska
- May 77 Commander, HHC, 5th Battalion (arctic Recon), 297th Infantry, Anchorage, Alaska
- Jan 79 S-1, 813th Engineer Battalion, Fort Richardson, Alaska
- Dec 81 Force Development Officer, USAR Control Group, Fort Richardson, Alaska
- May 82 Logistics Officer, HQ State Area Command-AK, Fort Richardson, Alaska
- Sep 84 Operations Officer, HQ State Area Command-AK, Fort Richardson, Alaska
- Aug 85 Liaison Officer, HHC, 207th Infantry Group (Scout), Fort Richardson, Alaska
- Dec 86 Force Development Officer (DPTM), HQ State Area Command- AK, Fort Richardson, Alaska
- Jun 88 Commander, Company A, 5th Battalion (Arctic Recon), 297th Infantry, Anchorage, Alaska
- Dec 88 Mobilization Officer, (DPTM) HQ State Area Command-AK, Fort Richardson, Alaska
- Apr 89 Assistant Inspector General, HQ State Area Command-AK, Fort Richardson, Alaska Jun 91 Chief, Plans, Operations & Military Support Office, HQ STARC-AK Fort Richardson , Alaska
- Mar 94 Commander, 5th Battalion (Arctic Recon) 297th Infantry, Fort Richardson , Alaska (BN inactivated 30 Sep 94)
- Oct 94 Deputy Director -Plans, Training, Mobilization (DPTM/G-3) (Overstrength), HQ State Area Command-AK, Fort Richardson , Alaska
- Apr 95 Director –Plans, Training, Mobilization (DPTM/G-3) HQ State Area Command-AK, Fort Richardson, Alaska
- Nov 95 Director –Personnel and Administration (DPA/G-1) HQ State Area Command-AK, Fort Richardson, Alaska
- Jun 97 Deputy Commander , Alaska Army National Guard, HQ State Area Command-AK, Fort Richardson, Alaska
- Aug 98 Chief of Staff, Alaska Army National Guard, HQ State Area Command-AK, Fort Richardson, Alaska
- Jul 00 Deputy STARC Commander, Alaska Army National Guard, HQ STARC-AK, Fort Richardson, Alaska
- Jun 01 Commander, 207th Infantry Group (Scout)
- Dec 02 STARC Commander, Alaska Army National Guard, Fort Richardson, Alaska
- Aug 03 Commander of the Alaska Army National Guard/Assistant Adjutant General, Fort Richardson, Alaska
Major Awards and Decorations
- Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
- Army Commendation Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
- Army Achievement Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster
- Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal with Silver Oak Leaf Cluster
- National Defense Service Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster
- Armed Forces Reserve Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster
Effective Dates of Promotion
- 2nd Lieutenant 25 Feb 77
- 1st Lieutenant 9 May 78
- Captain 15 Aug 81
- Major 17 Dec 86
- Lieutenant Colonel 19 Nov 91
- Colonel 15 Nov 96
- Brigadier General 14 Mar 02